Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent statement about Kashmir has drawn widespread criticism and fact-checking, after his post on X claimed that India “annexed” Jammu and Kashmir on October 27, 1947. His remarks, made during Pakistan’s observance of “Kashmir Black Day,” were quickly flagged by X’s community notes feature as being historically and legally inaccurate. Many users also pointed out that the post contained over 70% generative AI content, with some mockingly suggesting that it explained the unusual grammatical accuracy of the Prime Minister’s message.
Sharif’s post accused India of suppressing the Kashmiri people and distorting the region’s demography since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. However, the community note added by X users clarified the historical context, stating that on October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, legally joining Jammu and Kashmir to India. Indian troops entered the region the next day to defend it from Pakistan-backed tribal invaders, not to occupy it. This correction was supported with official records and references, including a Wikipedia link for further verification.
The inaccurate claims triggered a flood of reactions on X, with users posting memes, sarcastic remarks, and archived evidence to challenge Sharif’s narrative. Many Indian users mocked the Pakistani leader for distorting history, while others drew attention to Pakistan’s ongoing internal issues, including its economic crisis and political instability. Afghan political expert Qari Eisa Mohammadi was among those who criticized Sharif, arguing that Pakistan’s deteriorating conditions made its claims about “freedom for Kashmir” seem hollow. He added that a nation struggling to feed its own population should focus on domestic reform rather than interfering in the affairs of others.
Adding to the embarrassment, one user used an AI content detector and revealed that approximately 73% of Sharif’s post appeared to be generated by an AI tool. The discovery sparked ridicule, with users humorously suggesting that the Pakistani Prime Minister had outsourced historical propaganda to artificial intelligence. Some users noted that the AI-generated tone of the post explained its uncharacteristically polished language and grammatical precision, something not typical of political statements written by human staffers.
Historical documents from 1947 provide an unequivocal account of the events. The Instrument of Accession, signed by Maharaja Hari Singh and accepted by India’s then Governor-General Lord Mountbatten, formalized Jammu and Kashmir’s legal union with India. The move came after Pakistani-backed tribal militias invaded the state, leading the Maharaja to request military aid from India. Following the agreement, Indian troops were flown into Srinagar to repel the attackers and secure the region. These events form the foundation of India’s long-standing position that Jammu and Kashmir’s accession was both legal and irreversible under international law.
Sharif’s claim is the latest in a series of misinformation attempts from Pakistani leaders regarding Kashmir. Over the years, Pakistani politicians have repeatedly been caught distorting facts or presenting one-sided narratives about the 1947 conflict and subsequent developments. The use of X’s community notes has made such misinformation easier to counter in real time, allowing users to collaboratively correct false claims. In this case, the correction not only highlighted the historical truth but also showcased how digital tools can expose propaganda and prevent the spread of manipulated narratives online.
